This morning on the way to Manila International airport, I first saw, from a luxurious Toyota SUV, many local Filipinos who’re living outside the resort we were staying in. Inside the place, everything was perfectly arranged for its visitors from overseas; exotic meals, comfortable spas, soothing yoga programs, clean pools, timely afternoon tea, and convenient free wi-fi network. The staff are so warm, attentive, and hospitable, and speak good English. The place is what you’d call “A Dream World”. Once you get out and see what’s happening in the real world, a different world is coming at you. Roads are not paved, and thus bumpy. Buses are full of passengers. Tricycles are carrying more than two people. Some of the houses and buildings are about to collapse. And above all those things, I saw some sort of “hopelessness” in people’s eyes. I’m not being philanthropic, or I might be, but I couldn’t help feeling bad or guilty or at least uneasy about having stayed in such a snobbish resort doing all the snobbish stuff. It felt as if our luxury was something very, very shallow, and it could’ve been so. I may sound like a hypocrite, but that was exactly what came up to my mind on the way back to my safe, developed, home country. This trip has made me want to know more about the country, seriously.